Universal joint.



HENRY J. BUBENHEIM, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANXA.

UNIVERSAL JOINT.

specification of Leiters Patent.

Patented June 27, 1916.

Application inea-May 3,1915. serial No. 25,450.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that l, HENRY J. BUBENiiniM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pittsburgh, in` the county of Allegheny and Stateof Pennsylvania, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Universal Joints, of which the following is a specification. I

This invention pertainstothe art of universal joints `which afford a flexible connection between two rotatable members, usually employed in conjunction 'with the driving shaft `of various mechanisms wherein it is desired to join the' ends of two shafts in rotative angular relationship one lwith the other. y

The practical advantages of this iiivention reside in the new and novel arrangement ofjparts whereby an interlocking feature .is provided between tlie coacting parts, the

maximum of bearing surface being secured and equally distributed. f

Another advantage resides in the compact ness and strength of the assembled device,

its construction being suchI that the full diameter, which is approximately uniform throughout the entire length, can 'be materially reduced without weakening the structure. j

A still further advantage lies in t-he means employed for preventing longitudinal displacement or separation of the coacting elements'of the device` together with a self Alubricating means, also a modified feature .whereby the joint is made specially adaptable for motor driven vehicles, wherein longitudinal play in a, limited degree is provided for in order to accommodate or provide for variable distances between the driving connection and the driven mechanism.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate one .embodiment .of the invention Figure 1 is a perspective View of the assembled joint in union with two shaft sections: Fig'. 2 is a side view partly in section of one of the connecting members between its 'jaws being seated a pivotal member: Fig. 3 is an end view of the saine: Fig. 4 is a sectional view of one ofthe shoe members: Fig. 5 is an end view of a bifurcated forni of shoe, and Fig. 6 shows means for uniting the Ashoe members in pairs, said view kbeing part of the partly in section and showing means vfor limiting longitudinal adjustment. c

Constructiveiy my invention yinvolves two main members or couplers, l' and 2, respectively, these two parts being practically identical in size and configuration, each one having a socketed outer extremity 3 to receive and house the shaft sections A and B, together with the inner disposed integral levtensions or jaws 4, which said jaws are diametrically opposite each other and lie in parallel horizontal alinement, being divided bythe intervening space 5, the inner face of each jaw being slotted longitudinally.

lVhen the two members 1 and 2 are brought together as shown in Fig. l, the two pairs of jaws' will interlock with each other and surround a centrally disposed pivotal member 6, made in the form of a cross, which member is provided with four radial fianges or spiders 7, that are spaced apart an equal distance from each other, and are designed to seat in the slots lea'formed in said jaws.

The outer free edge or periphery .of these flanges are made with a predetermined curvature or are of a circle, as at 8, in order` to permit a free rockingmovement of the two main members to a limited degree when assuming their relative angular positions with respect to said pivotal member and to each other.

As a means for retaining the central niemberG in its coperating relationship with the main members, and for preventing any longitudinal displacement or separation of these said main members away from said element 6, I have provided the shoe members 9, one for each of the grooves 4, a detail thereof beings'hown in Fig. 4, involving a curvedA bearingportion l0 having approximately the same are of a circle given to the edge 8 of said flanges, also a depending lip or extension 11, which is designed to lie in,

close parallel alinement and contact with one or both sides of the said fianges 7. This extension part of each shoe serves as a bearing or replaceable lining to take up the wear incidental to the frictional engagement of the Said fianges 7 only one extension being direction, said shoes carrying two eXtensions of a bifurcated nature, as shown in required when the joint is rotated in but one Fig. 5, which straddle the flanges '7, thereby providinir a replaceable wearing surface at both sides, when the joint is designed to be rotated inreverse directions. These shoes are placed on the said flanges prior to the subsequent assembling of the two main menr bers, afterward being removably held in their respective slots by screws 12, o other substitute means.

In adapting this coupling in conjunction with the driving mechanism of motor vehicles a limited longitudinal play or adjustment residing in the joint itself is advantageous in order `to compensate for the variable distances between the driving connection and the driven part of the machinery. This feature is amply provided for in the member shown inl Fig. G, which involves furnishing the two shoe members with an extension part 9a and uniting -the same by a connector 15, which integral mem` ber seats in the grooves 4 and is permitted a limited longitudinal movement, determined by the length of the slots 16 formed in said shoes or extension portions, the ends of the screws 2, which enter said slots, serving to prevent, entire separation or' the coacting parts.' The two main members l and 2 are in this manner permitted a limited separation vwhile still in pivotal relationship with the central member at the same time being automatically self centering and free to as sume their relative angular positions.

As a self lubricating feature of the joint l have provided pockets or recesses 13 in each of the shoe members which can be supplied with oil or other suitable lubricant through the threaded apertures which admit the endsof the said screws 12, additional apertures being supplied for escape of the lubricant to its proper and desired spot.

The slotted section olf ycach jin7 is of such depth and configuration as to embrace and surround the major portion of the Said radial flanges7V the extreme inner edge of these jaws reaching approximately to the hub of said pivotal member (l, whereby the maximum of bearing surface will be present to insure strength, and guard against breakage incidental to the thrust imparted to these voacting elements while the main members are in rotative angular relationship one with the. other.

l" .h oij the two main members l and 2 having their own imlcpcmicnt and separate The joint is easily disassembled b simply removing the screws 12 ho shoes in their respective slots, whidn Wil 'infinit separation of the several wading elements. As the said shoes become wornthey can easily and quickly be replaced by new ones, thus prolonging the lifeofth joint at a very nominal additional cost. I claim that a universal joint constructed in the manner heretofore described and shown in the drawings will obviate 'many of. the weak points revalent in devices of this nature, specia emphasis being placed on the amount of bearing surface provided, its simplicity of construction coupled with strength und great flexibility. 4

What I claim as my invention is:

1.I In a ,universal joint the combination of a central pivotal member having ,radial flanges, the outer extremity of said flanges being curved; two connecting members each consisting of a socket for receiving a shaft, together with integral spaced-apart and alinmg extensions or jaws, the innerA face of ca ch jaw being slotted longitudinally to receive the flanged portions of the pivotal member; and means seated in said slots for limiting the longitudinal separation .of the two vconnecting members.

2. In :i universal joint the combination of a cent al pivotal member having u plurality of radial flanges whose outer extremities are arcs of a circle; two interlocking connecting members surrounding the said pivotal member, cach having n socketed portion for receiving a shaft, together with inte` ion gral spaccdmpart and alining jaws, the

inner face of each 'jaw being grooved lon tudinally to house the flanged portions of lille pivotal member; and means removablj secured in the said grooves. coacting with the said flanges for limiting the longitudinal separation of the two connecting members. 3. In a. universal joint the combination of a central loosely positioned pivotal 'member having a` plurality of radial flanges whose outer extremities are arcs of a circle; two interlocking connecting members surrounding tlie said pivotal member, each having a socketed portion for receiving a shaft together with integral spaced-apart and alining jaws, thel limer face of each jaw being grooved longitudinally toreceive the flanged portions of the pivotal member; and shoes removably secured insaid grooves acting as a friction bearing for the said flanged portions of the pivotal having a'curved section corresponding to the curved outer extremity lof said flanges, together with a depending portion serving as a. lining intermediate of the Wall of spil-id Lgroovevaud contacting side of the flange."-

-l-. ln a universal Vjoint'thc combination of `a central pivotal member having radial flanges, the outer extremities thereof being lll member, said shoes uns -arcs of a` circle; two inter1ockin1r connect Shoes iming a. curved section for Contact 1lI wish rim curved edge of Sani' innges, and

lng members surrounding the said pivotui member. ouch having n. sockemi portion for :liso provided with n. lubricant chamber. receiving a Shaft, together with integral in wsiniony-whereof1iniixinysignature swbell-apart and "lining jaws.y the. innerv1 in he'presonce of two tvitnosofi.

falce of @zichy jaw [ming glooved lougiud HENRY J. ULNHEM. milly tn rrceive thf.,l flanged portions oi the in if 'f presence of pivotni member; Shoes removably positioned f M. Si. THOMPSON;

within the grooves of the. jaw rwrtions', said ii. Vv'. SiriavifNsoN.v 

